Hauptplatz 12
Architectural History
The town house at Hauptplatz 12 is a freestanding structure on the north-western corner of the square and has its origins in the first half of the 13th century.
It was enlarged during the Late Middle Ages and underwent further remodelling in the 16th and 18th centuries.
The present facade, designed in Late-Neoclassical Josephine style, was created around 1800.
Inscription Stone
In the entrance hall, the inscription stone of Larenz Twenger, dated 1466, is preserved.
Architectural Description
The three-storey facade is symmetrically arranged and dominated by a projecting central risalit. This is marked by a round-arched entrance portal leading into a vestibule. Above it rises a vertical axis with generously sized windows framed by restrained stucco decoration, crowned by a triangular pediment containing a small circular window (oculus).
The lateral bays are rhythmically articulated with evenly spaced windows, each set within simple plaster frames and topped with decorative stucco cornices. Window boxes add to the building’s picturesque character. The steep hipped roof, clad with red tiles, is punctuated by three dormer gables that enliven the roofline.
Within the vestibule, the inscription stone of Larenz Twenger, dated 1466, is preserved, attesting to the building’s medieval origins. Overall, the house combines medieval substance with a facade of Late-Neoclassical refinement, resulting in a representative yet harmonious presence on Friesach’s main square.
